Last Saturday I organised for some of my study group members to visit the home of Jackson Conn a local bonsai potter who has been making bonsai ceramics on and off for over 20 years. I am a firm advocate of supporting local business and I encourage all enthusiasts to do so when the product is right. Yes, sometimes you can shave a bit off the cost by shopping elsewhere, but when your local suppliers and artisans no longer are in business and you have to buy the same product as everyone else and pay through the nose for delivery, don’t complain. Jackson is a prime example of this and it was a pleasure to spend a few hours with him and see him giving the guys a guided tour of his set up and see so many pots going out the garden gate at the end.
On Sunday I cooperated in an event with Boundary Brewing in Belfast. ‘Beer and Bonsai’ brought together two of my favourite things and helped spread to word about both in the local area. This was not about sales or money for me, just friendship and promotion. Starting at 4pm I arrived a little early and set up trees for those attending to view. I had three large window spaces to fill as well as wanting people to get up close with table displays. I selected trees for the tables that I knew would be robust enough to take some handling but I need not have worried as everyone was well behaved.
Bonsai Eejit 